pseudo-altruismPseudoaltruismus (ger.)

Presumably, a pair of termites (the king and the queen) maximize their own reproductive success by producing many non-reproductive progeny (workers) which in turn allow the production of many successful reproductive offspring (new kings and queens). Natural selection among workers, however, should operate to release them from such parental “control.” Doubtlessly, termites also enjoy other advantages from group cooperation, such as protection from predators and the elements. Another form of pseudo-altruism, termed “reciprocal altruism” (Trivers, 1971), does not require genetic affinity of kin selection to operate. In reciprocal altruism, some behavioral act incurs a relatively minor loss to a donor but provides a recipient with a large gain; thus two entirely unrelated animals can both benefit from mutual assistance. An example best explained by reciprocal altruism is the posting of sentinels.